Intergraph History

1990s

In software, Intergraph embraced Microsoft Windows. Developers created a new core graphics capability, and Intergraph became the largest independent NT development site. In hardware, Intergraph ceased Clipper development and, between 1994 and 1997, beat the competition to market with the first workstations based on Intel's Pentium, Pentium Pro, and Pentium II microprocessors.

But by the end of the decade, a patent dispute with Intel had taken its toll. Intergraph faced the challenge of re-engineering itself to recover from the devastation and return to profitability. Intergraph announced its intention to structure all aspects of the company around vertically focused business units that provided technical software, systems integration, and professional services.

1990

Intergraph was ranked No. 1 supplier of computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) systems in North America and No. 2 in the world, according to industry analysts Daratech and Dataquest.

Intergraph also reached its goal of $1 billion in revenue and joined the Fortune 500.

1991

The Intergraph Advanced Processor Division turned its attention to the next Clipper, the C400, or C4. The processor combined two key architectural techniques to achieve a new level of performance - superscalar instruction dispatch and superpipelined operation.

In 1991, Intergraph was recognized by the Defense Mapping Agency for support during Desert Storm. Shortly before the invasion of Kuwait, the Kuwaitis completed an infrastructure database, using Intergraph's digital mapping system. That infrastructure map proved invaluable in Kuwait's recovery.

1992

While Intergraph focused on the next generation microprocessor - the C5 - the company also beganevaluating Intel's microprocessors for the future.

Intergraph became the largest independent development site for Windows NT applications.

Intergraph helped build the Hong Kong Airport, described that year as the "world's largest construction project." Intergraph supplied hardware, software, and consulting services for major portions of this enormous project, which included leveling an island and designing and building the airport terminal, roadways, railways, bridges and tunnels.

1993

Intergraph began to transition future workstations to an Intel-based design and ceased further design of its Clipper microprocessor. This commitment to Intel resulted in Intergraph being technologically and economically locked in to using Intel's CPUs, a single-sourced solution
Intergraph filed for patents on parallel instruction computing (PIC).

1994

Intergraph introduced the industry's first Pentium-based workstations and the first multiprocessor workstations, all based on the Windows NT operating system.

1995

Intergraph introduced the industry's first Pentium Pro-based workstations and was awarded BYTE magazine's Best of COMDEX award.

1996

Intergraph entered the animation and digital video production market with the industry's first serial digital video-capable workstation. Many top-name computer graphic studios in Hollywood chose Intergraph.

After several years of mutually beneficial work, Intel began making unreasonable demands for royalty-free rights to Intergraph patents already being used in Intel microprocessors.

1997

Intergraph introduced the industry's first single and dual Pentium II workstations, and the first workstations to feature Macintosh compatibility. The new monitor featured HDTV standard format at high resolution. (Image on screen courtesy of SoftImage.)

"Intergraph has really captured Microsoft's vision of the future by creative native Windows applications, and we applaud their achievements. Intergraph's early commitment has helped make this phenomenal conversion possible." - Bill Gates, CEO, Microsoft

1998

Intergraph offered the first data and document management system specifically for the plant design industry.